Outcome of Second Line Chemotherapy (Gemcitabine, Dexamethasone, and Cisplatin) in Relapsed and Refractory Non Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract
Background: The treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma remains challenging. The strategy for management of relapsed or refractory disease is to deliver salvage chemotherapy, followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation in responding patient. Such salvage therapies typically consist of cytotoxic agents that have not been used in first line therapy.
Aim of Study: In this study we are trying to study one of the salvage chemotherapy lines which is GDP regarding response rate, quality of life and toxicity.
Patients and Methods: Seventy patients diagnosed as refractory or relapsed NHL were included in the study; all patients received GDP for 4 to 6 cycles. Primary end point was to evaluate overall response to treatment; secondary end point was to evaluate quality of life and toxicity. An informed written consent was obtained from all the patients and approval of Research Ethics Committee of Assiut, Faculty of Medicine was obtained prior to the study.
Results: The overall response was 65% with complete response 25% and partial response 40%. Regarding quality of life it was noticed that 32.9% patients using GDP were improved, 40% were stable patients while significant deteri-oration occurred in 27.1%. Regarding toxicity profile, occur-rence of neutropenia was 50% with grade III-IV 15%, throm-bocytopenia 40% with grade IV-V 5%, anemia 60% with grade II-III 7%. Nausea 50% with grade III-IV 3%, vomiting 40% with grade III-IV 10%, diarrhea 34.3% with grade II-III 5%. Renal toxicity 31.4% with grade I-II 15%, neurological toxicity 40% grade I-II 10%. Hepatic toxicity 25.7% with grade I-II 20%.
Conclusion: GDP is effective as second line chemotherapy with good response rate, quality of life and a manageable range of toxicity.